| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Meeting Materials Challenges for the Future of Fusion Energy
|
| Presentation Title |
Spark Plasma Sintering of Dispersion-Strengthened Tungsten for Fusion Applications |
| Author(s) |
Cristian Ivan Urias, Rameshwari Naorem, Jonathan Rodriguez, Hailong Huang, Nicolas Argibay, Vijay K. Vasudevan, Thomas W. Scharf |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Cristian Ivan Urias |
| Abstract Scope |
Tungsten composites are promising materials for plasma-facing components due to their ability to retain strength at extreme temperatures and superior mechanical properties compared to state-of-the-art materials, typically a pure W layer bonded to structural alloys like reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic steels. This study explores the addition of Cr and C to a W matrix to enhance its strength, fracture toughness, and thermal shock resistance. The incorporation of these elements was investigated using high energy ball milling followed by consolidation by spark plasma sintering (SPS), during which Cr-C precipitates form and fill the pores within a W matrix. These precipitates remain small and act as carbide-dispersion strengthening (CDS) phases, contributing to the improved performance of the composite. Advanced surface-based testing methods used to determine the performance of these W-based composites will be discussed. This effort is aimed at identifying promising alloys to enable first-generation commercial fusion reactors by addressing challenges associated with defect formation and non-metal impurities. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Powder Materials, Composites, High-Temperature Materials |